Influenza continues to claim the lives of Oklahomans

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Influenza continues to claim the lives of Oklahomans

OKLAHOMA – There was a surprising jump in flu deaths this past week.

Five new flu deaths have been reported by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, bringing the death toll from the virus to 58.

There were also nine new hospitalizations.

Over 1,200 Oklahomans have needed hospital care to deal with this year’s flu bug.

The flu is hitting younger people harder this season than in years past, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

People between the ages of 18 and 64 represent 61% of all influenza-related hospitalizations recorded during the this year’s flu season — a significant increase compared with previous years when this age group represented about 35% of cases.